Closing Out 2010-On the Road

The tree in the center of this photo is the biggest one in the RV park, and it's huge!  I live right under it, which is good news and bad news.  Acorns hitting the roof sound like little hand grenades sometimes, yet the wind flowing through the branches and moss makes it very peaceful at other times.  It would take two of me to join hands around it, which reminds me of the big oak on the New River at Briarpatch Lane in Boone.  That remains my favorite tree of all time, for many reasons.  So it is good to be reminded of it.

Jen and Mike

Last night found me at another party with the Sierra's, this time one of Luis' cousins celebrating his 70th birthday.  It was held at the cousin's very nice home in Venice, one of the nicer places in Florida.  There was an abundance of delicious food, an excellent DVD of "This Is Your Life" and more than a few stories about the guest of honor, Al.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a good picture of him, but I did get this one of Jen and Mike.  On the way home, Barbara gave me a guava pastry, which I had for breakfast this morning and it was unbelievably delicious!  My mom used to make guava jelly when we lived here and it reminded me of that.  Guava jelly on a hot biscuit...mmmm!  Mind bogglingly good!

I've missed Jubilee! this week, as there has been a problem with the website.  And I missed church on Sunday because I went to Gainesville to visit a new friend, Cindi.  We had some great food and went to see "Burlesque", which was excellent!  I highly recommend it and may go see it again before long.  Cher was phenomenal, as was Christina Aguilera.  I've also seen "The Fighter", also excellent, and "True Grit" which I liked better than the John Wayne version.  But the show I've enjoyed the most recently was The Kennedy Center Honors.  It started with Oprah and finished with Paul McCartney.  The joke of the evening, by Chris Rock, said that Oprah and Paul were so rich, if they wanted to have sex it would have to be approved by the SEC first!  It was truly a great show. 

It's hard to believe another year is about to end, yet it is almost here.  I have lived on the road for 10 months now and loved it!  I have been all over both coasts of Florida and down to Key West; up and down the Appalachians all summer and fall; caught some nice trout, saw lots of good friends and family; thoroughly enjoyed my 45th high school reunion; met many new and fine folks; discovered Jubilee! in Asheville after waiting for 20 years to do so; and now a fourth of this stay in Florida is over.  Whew....Time is really zipping by!  

I don't know what 2011 will bring.  None of us do.  But I intend to keep living life as I have this year.  Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time.  Asking myself, when I feel some resistance, what do I really want to do right now?  Then listening to that still, small voice give me the right answer, as it has so many times this year.  I want to continue to remember the many good times with LaVerne, and keep forgetting the sad ones.  I am more open to joy and happiness now, and I want to stay that way.   

Life is GOOD!!!!

Noche Buena!

Luis and Pepito

Noche Buena is a Spanish term for Christmas Eve meaning "good night" and it is celebrated in Spain, Cuba, the Philippines and Latin America.  In Cuba, it is celebrated with a traditional dinner with family, centering around a roasted pig, lechon.  A lechon is a young suckling pig, often cooked whole.  The one we had, being carved here by Luis and being observed by the chef, Pepita, was a ham smoked over guava wood from Hawaii.  It was tender, juicy and absolutely some the best pork I've ever had, anywhere, anytime!  It would melt in your mouth! 

Luis' famous shrimp cocktail platter

Along with the pork, there was yucca (referred to as a Cuban potato), black beans and rice, an avocado and pineapple salad, plantains, bread and more desserts than I could count.  Before all of this were numerous appetizers, like this platter of boiled shrimp prepared by Luis.  As you see, there are lime wedges, olives and cherry tomatoes to complement the shrimp.  The man is truly a master chef!

Barbara and me

We were at the home of Jack and Carrie, Luis's cousins, in Safety Harbor, about an hour north of here.  Carrie is an artist and her touch was evident in their beautiful home.  It was spacious, airy and light, and rooms easily flowed from one to another.  None of my pictures do it justice.  This one, however, captures the mood pretty well.  Very relaxed in a lovely setting with lots of very fine people!

Niece Jennifer and her son, Jason

We arrived early, so the house was pretty quiet with last minute preparations going on.  People kept warning me that would change "when the Cubans arrive".  And did it ever!  It seemed like 20 plus folks arrived at once and it was instant chaos!  The noise level rivaled a rock concert, but instead of music it was "hellos, how are yas and good to see you's!"  At one point a couple of men broke out in a fun loving song in Spanish. It was great!  However, I did have to turn my hearing aids off a time or two, as I feared I would blow one out.  There were also many lively and spirited conversations throughout the evening.  The age of attendees ranged from teens to 94.  It was a great celebration and I'll remember it for a long time.

It's the possibility of  nights like this that attracts me to this lifestyle.  What a great adventure!  Thank you, Sierra family!  I'm grateful! 

Merry Christmas to all!  Thanks for stopping by!

Holy One

Barbara and Jennifer, mother and daughter

Barbara and Jennifer shared this moment of intense laughter just after Jen arrived for dinner.  I have no idea what they were laughing about as I was caught up in watching them enjoy each other so much.  Barbara and I had been in an intense conversation just a few minutes before Jen arrived, and this was a wonderful relief and release for both of us.  Thanks, Jen!  You're a very fine lady, daughter, mother and wife!!!

Brother-in-law Luis

Yesterday Luis and Jason took me to their favorite fishing hole to re-introduce me to salt water fishing.  Unfortunately, the fish had other ideas and didn't show themselves in any way whatsoever.  Even live shrimp couldn't bring them to us.  We think the cool weather caused them to go elsewhere that day. So we had to be content with enjoying the weather, each others' company and untangling this "bird's nest" on Luis' reel.  It was a good outing and I look forward to doing it again. 

Tranquility bay near Venice

The other day I told a friend of mine that my joy was coming from the Holy One having healed my heart and opened me to joy and happiness.  I believe this is a good description of my being right now.  There is a scar on my heart from the loss of LaVerne, and there always will be.  It's still sensitive sometimes when it's touched, like today, LaVerne's birthday.  Her sister, Marianne, called this morning just to say hi.  And while neither of us mentioned what today is, neither of us had to.  I avoided tearing up while we talked, though I came real close near the end.  When we hung up, my tears flowed freely and I felt relieved, as I always do after a good cry.  Happiness is winning over sadness, now, and I hope that continues for a long time. 

Namaste

Rainy Day in Florida

Woke up to a gentle rain this morning and discovered I'd left the skylight over my bed open - again.  No damage done, but the foot of the bed and floor are pretty wet.  I really need to follow through on the idea of hanging a red tag on the skylight handle whenever I open it.  May be tomorrow....

Manatee observation park

On Wednesday, I jumped on the Burg and headed north to a manatee observation place at Apollo Beach, location of a generation plant.  The big beasts love the warm water and gather there when the weather is cold.  I've never seen so many in one place.  The pic shows a few in the shallow water, but further out there were so many you couldn't have thrown a rock in without hitting one.   There was a cow with her pup close by, which was peaceful to watch.  It was a gorgeous day and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride and the view.

That evening, the menu at the "Sierra Cuban Restaurant" was black beans and rice, roast pork and snow peas.  Mmmm.  Luis the chef is truly getting better with age!

Friday I went to see "Black Swan" at the Sarasota Film Society theater, where I joined for the season to save $3 per ticket.  It was an excellent movie, though very dark.  I won't be surprised if Natalie Portman wins an Oscar for her role as the swan queen.  Barbara Hersey plays her mother and also did a very fine job.

Near the theater

  After the movie I rode down to Bay Front Park and walked along the water.  What a pretty place.  There were lots of people out enjoying the sunshine, the views and food and drink at a bay side pub.  Again, another fine day. 

Gull on a dolphin

Last night Barbara and I went to her favorite Japanese sushi bar and enjoyed ourselves, as usual.  We never run out of things to talk about and being in her company is always a pleasure for me.  The service was lacking due to a waitress in training, but the food was very good and the hostess did well in filling in the service gaps.  Barbara is obviously a regular there and the folks graciously acknowledged that.  We talked about taking some trips together, as she is quite the traveler these days, including a tour of Italy.  We also made plans to attend a Chinese acrobat show on New Year's Eve and I know that will be fun. 

Time is moving very quickly now so I must be having a lot of fun!  It crawls when I'm not.  There's a dance here in the park tonight, which I may attend, and the Tar Heels are playing basketball at 4:00 and that will be fun (I hope!) 

Life is good!  Thanks for stopping by. 

Odds and Ends-Again

Jubilee:  Each week I download the Sunday service from Jubilee then listen to it at my leisure, usually when I want to lift my spirits.  I'm not sure why this picture of mushrooms reminds me of Jubilee!  Maybe it's the simplicity, colors, textures - or some combination.  From the website: "At the beginning of each Via, Jubilee! distributes Seeds of Celebration.  This quarterly publication introduces the theme for the new season.  It contains brief summaries of upcoming celebrations as well as references to scriptures to be read each week."  I know this is one reason why I find Jubilee! so relevant: the messages coincide with the seasons and the natural order of nature.   Since the Creator made all this, and us, no wonder it fits me so well!

Washington Post Winner:  Lymph-to walk with a lisp   (from a word contest)

Henrietta Case

Sad news:  I recently learned that one of my favorite relatives and former neighbor in Reeves Cove where I grew up, Henrietta Case, had a heart attack and other serious health problems.  In many ways, she's the family historian and knows so much about our history.  Some folks might call her a gossip, and that's okay, too, as that isn't necessarily a bad thing all the time.  At any rate, she's very much on my mind today and I hope she's doing well. 

Peaceful thought:  "Except for the point, the still point,
                             There would be no dance,
                             And there is only the dance."
                                       T.S.Eliot

This brief and powerful verse was part of a walking meditation that helped me through a very difficult time in my life over 25 years ago.  Perhaps it can help one of you in the days to come.  The theme from last Sunday's Jubilee! celebration was Improbable Gifts and how they come to us and through us.  So, I offer this peaceful thought as a gift.  Use it if you wish; leave it if you don't. 

Mt. Mitchell:  From the top, elevation 6,684 feet, highest point east of the Mississippi, on a warm, summer day.  When I imagine what it's probably like there today, I feel true warmth, not the cold as it is there.  Because I'm in a snug, warm home, even though it's mobile, and am grateful for it.  I hope you're in a warm place, too, and feeling grateful for it. 

Under the Banyan Tree

Owen's Fish Camp Cafe

Yesterday I went to the art movie house in downtown Sarasota and saw "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest".  wow!  What a flick!  I thoroughly enjoyed it and loved seeing Lisbeth Salander once again.  I've also seen "The Girl Who Played With Fire" and liked it, too.  The theater is in an alley and right next to a cool little seafood cafe under a big banyan tree.  Loved the ambiance, the cold beer and the menu.  Though I didn't eat there this time, I do plan to go back and enjoy some of their seafood.

Then I was off to dinner at my niece Jennifer's house.  Her husband, Mike, barbecued chicken and it was very good.  They live right across the street from Barbara and Luis, so it was a short stroll there and back.  They have two big, friendly dogs and a very comfortable home.  I felt good being there and look forward to seeing them again. 

Jason and Scooter

Jennifer

Every evening, swallows gather over the lake to swoop and dive and eat bugs.  I love to watch them fly!  They're among my favorites, as they're so quick.  They are too quick to show up in this picture, so just imagine a hundred or so of them filling the sky.  They may not be around tonight, as the winds are gusting to 25 and the temp is going down to the mid-20s.  I feel for all my northern neighbors as they brave this cold snap.  Stay warm, you all!  Love ya! 

The lake near my place

Dont Feed the Gators!

This gator was spotted in the lake near my place and confirmed the signs around the lake saying "Don't feed the alligators!"  These creatures  really fascinate me, I think because they remind me of dinosaurs.  I guess this one is about 5 feet long or so. 

Wednesday found me at dinner with the Sierra's and one of Luis' finest dishes - peccadillo, a Cuban specialty.  It's delicious!  The conversation was lively once again and I thoroughly enjoyed being with them.  What a fine family they are!



Jason and Barbara

 A friend informed me that the planet Mercury had gone retrograde, meaning that communications and transportation would be adversely affected during that time.  Not this time! I said to myself.  The next morning my computer wouldn't work and wound up spending some time with the Geek Squad folks to get it straightened out.  Sure did miss it while it was gone!

The Publix supermarket had never frozen rainbow trout on Friday and I just had to bring one home and grill it.  It reminded me of all the good ones I had in the mountains this summer.  What a fine meal!

Finally got to see the movie "Inception" and wow!  It's terrific!  It's very complex and I'll have to see it several times to catch it all.  It's about a man who goes into the dreams of others and steals secrets.  Leonardo DiCaprio does a splendid job.

I captured this image because of the flip in my hair.  The pony tail project continues in spite of the aggravation it causes me sometimes.  It has almost ended more than once and still may not make it until the tail gets tied.  We'll see.....



Sunday Dinner at the Sierra's

Gator and birds

On Sunday I enjoyed a fine dinner of shrimp scampi, courtesy of chef Luis, and fun evening at my sister Barbara's house.  We celebrated her upcoming 59th birthday and watched a video of a party at their house in August of 1988.  It was hilarious!  It was the only time I remember that Pat, Barbara and I were with our mother, Jean, and stepfather, Ron.  My wife, Zoe, was there, along with my kids, Barbara and Derick, plus my niece, Jennifer, who was 9 at the time.  Sister Pat's husband, Bill, and daughter, Amanda, were also there.  The highlight was a game of giggle belly, which had us all lying on the floor, crisscrossed with our heads on each others' stomachs, then going "ha", "ha, ha", in order down the line.   Of course it never got very far before all of us burst out laughing.  It's impossible to watch the tape without doing the same thing, so we all enjoyed another good laugh together 22 years after the original.  What a good time!  Sorry I didn't take some pics, as I was too caught up in the evening.  Next time. 

Yesterday I attended a meeting of Solos on the Go, the same group that I ran away from in February when I was here.  This time I got there early and was still the only guy present with about 20 ladies.  What a fun group of folks!  We gathered for pizza later in the evening then played some games.  I passed on the games as I'm still a little frustrated by not having any glasses but my tinted ones.  The new ones are supposed to arrive Saturday and I sure will be glad. 

The cold weather is more than a minor nuisance here as it is threatening the crops.  I've been enjoying fresh oranges, orange juice and real tomatoes that taste like summer ones in NC. .How odd it is to enjoy a real tomato sandwich in December!  It will be a tragedy if the crops are damaged, as it will adversely affect a lot of people, especially the farmers.   Here's hoping mother nature will give these good people a break this time.

Jubilee continues to lift my spirits, as I download the Sunday service then listen to it at my leisure.  The music, readings, and of course Howard's insights are timely and helpful.  It's the next best thing to being there and I look forward to each new one.  Walking continues to give me a good boost each day, as does all this sunshine.  And drinking less helps a lot, too.  Overall, I feel terrific!  When my glasses come and the weather warms, I'll definitely be on the golf course or driving range or both.  I also want to take some day trips on the Burg and explore my surroundings more, including the beach, of course. 

St. George Island

Loners on Wheels

Morning light

It's 10:30 on Sunday morning and my little home on  wheels is bathed in sunshine.  It's 73 degrees here, and I don't miss the snow folks had back home!   This will be my home for the next 4 months and I am looking forward to it.  More on my immediate plans later.

My arrival coincided with a rally of Loners on Wheels, a group of devoted RVers who travel solo.  It is one of the warmest and friendliest groups I've ever known.  We had breakfast every morning, happy hour every afternoon and dinners together.  We also had a country and western duet show last night, sponsored by American Coaches, another RV group.  It was great fun!  Donny and Sandy Colf were terrific entertainers and she even serenaded me for one song.  I hope to get a picture of that to post.  She sure made my temperature rise!  On the way to breakfast this morning, I invited Helen to ride on the Burg with me and she accepted without hesitation.  I later learned she had owned a Gold Wing in Alaska!  What a spirited lady!
I also loved this can holder she had.

Helen and her "man"

Yesterday I scooted down to Myakka State Park to enjoy the sunshine and a bowl of my favorite gator stew.  I stopped on a bridge to watch some folks fishing and saw this huge gator looking for a snack.  The people were catching lots of bream and it looked like the gator wanted to grab one, but he just lay there for a while and then moved on.

Gator looking for a snack

On the way back I spotted this water slide from the second story of a home.  My first thought was, "What a way to start the day!"  I think I could get used to something like that!  What fun that could be!

Great way to start the day!

My schedule for today and the coming week includes a visit with my sister, Barbara, and her family; line dance lessons, since I seem to have forgotten most of what I learned from sister Lisa in SC; penny ante poker night; a meeting of Solos on the Go; karaoke at the pool Friday night; and a poolside party and moonlit music on Saturday night.  Whew!  And, I may get in a round of golf, too.  Thank goodness I started walking daily again while at St. George Island, and that's a good thing. 

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to keep posting more often now. 

St. George Island

It has been a while since I've posted and I sure have missed it.  Thanks for coming back for another look!

November 24, 2010  Had a great lunch in Adel, GA, with high school classmate Chokey Stines.  He's the Chief Assistant District Attorney in that part of the world and I wish I'd had more time to hear more stories.  He treated me to the best barbecue in south Georgia and it sure was good.  I regret not remembering to take a photo of Chokey.
   I left Adel and headed toward Moultrie before going due south toward Tallahassee.  Boy did that bring back memories!  When I was stationed at Moody AFB, Valdosta, GA in the '70's, I often had runway supervisory duties at a small airstrip at Spence Field near Moultrie.  There was, and still is I understand from Chokey, a hangar there that manufactures Maul aircraft, know for being excellent bush planes.  I toured it when on duty there during rainy days and it was something to see.  Chokey knew the owners and said he might could get me a ride in a Maul, but alas, not this time.  He also invited me on a canoe float down the Suwanee River on Friday, but I had to pass on that - just too much additional driving in a short time.

After arriving on St. George's and getting set up, I headed to Eddie Teach's Raw Bar, my favorite hangout from previous visits.  I had 2 dozen raw oysters and a couple of Boddington's, a real treat, though too pricey to do again.  The next day I bought 5 dozen for $13, plus some fresh shrimp and the feasting began!  With no TV, no cell phone, no computer, I went outside and enjoyed the stars in the quiet night.   Later that night I went on a scooter ride to the end of the island, past the locked gate, and enjoyed the moonlight and the sound of the ocean.  There were horizontal layers of fog floating by, giving everything a very eerie glow.  I thought about riding naked, but it was just too cold!  A high school friend said my blog is boring and figured that would spice it up a bit!

Hawk in tree looking for fish

November 25, 2010, Thanksgiving Day  I took a long walk on the beach and laughed and cried and sang!  It was great!  I ate most of the oysters I'd bought, either raw or roasted over the open fire.  The raw ones I enjoyed with horseradish and Tiger Sauce, and the roasted ones with herb stuffing.  And, of course, the shrimp for an appetizer.  My beer for that day was Sweetwater 420's, a fine brew.  Later I went to Teach's for a Boddington and wifi.  My mind was filled with thoughts of all the things I'm thankful for and it was a very long list.

November 26, 2010  My good golfing buddy, John Hohn, had his novel published and I finished it today.  What a fine read!  It's titled   "Deadly Portfolio: A Killing in Hedge Funds".  However, the editor and publisher did a lousy job of proofreading and it's filled with errors.  Later that morning I rode the Burg to Panama City, through Mexico Beach, and that had a few memories.  While stationed at Moody, Diane, the kids and I went there for a weekend getaway and I came down with chickenpox at 20 some years old!  Barbara and Derick had them the weeks before, then it was my turn and they got to tell me "don't scratch, don't scratch!"  It was not fun.

   Panama City brought back some memories, too, as I lived there a while when I was 10.  It was there that I got my first model airplane with an engine and that started my passion to become a pilot.  While wandering on the scooter I stumbled across a locally owned restaurant with a long waiting line named Hunt's Oyster Bar.  It was awesome!  Raw oysters on the half-shell were $4.75 and the grouper sandwich was a prize winner. 
   The ride was long and good and the only excitement was seeing 2 eagles and a guy on a crotch rocket passing me at 65 while doing a wheelie.  Idiocy knows no bounds!

The solitude began to wear on me toward the end of my stay and the last night there was not a good one.  Suffice it to say that I had too much to drink and lost my glasses; then got a late start for Sarasota the next day, which put me here after dark wearing sunglasses, my only remaining prescription lenses.  So, no more liquor, period.  Just not worth it anymore. 

I'm glad to be in Sarasota and am enjoying a new club, Loners on Wheels.  As the name implies, it's for RVers who travel alone.  Last night was my first encounter with these folks and it was a good one.  There's a pot luck this afternoon, followed by karaoke at the bar tonight and some tours tomorrow.  The activities at Sun n Fun are endless and I'll get involved in several next week, including golf and line dancing.  And I hope to see my sister, Barbara, and her family this weekend.  Life is goooood!